Water run through a sprinkler system meter costs less than the same water run through the house system.

“It’s a luxury and a privilege to be able to spray drinking water on your lawn,” Hall said.

The lower cost is not fair to residents using hoses to water their yards, said Hall.

Increasing fees for metered sprinkler systems is like changing the rules, Councilwoman Paula Lynch said. “Those folks paid a lot of money to put in an extra meter,” said Lynch.

Hall said she did not realize what was going on until she saw the water rate report earlier in April. Hall questioned why the sprinkler meter accounts charge less for water.

The water used is not going back into the sewer system, said Councilman Troy Purnell.

The first 8,000 gallons is inexpensive from a water treatment standpoint, said Water and Wastewater Director Jane Kreiter.

During public comments, resident Jim Hoppa urged the town council to look at a different fee system for water, saying that the more you use, the less you pay. This practice does not encourage water conservation, Hoppa said. He suggested charging a flat rate for every 1,000 gallons of water used.

“That way, the more you use, you’re going to be paying more,” said Hoppa.